Licensed plumber to find and fix a leak

Found a wet spot on my basent ceiling. Pressed on it and my finger went through no problem. Got the drywall knife out and cut a smallish hole to see what was up. Lots of black mold and standing water.

Fast forward to last night, started flushing toilets and running showers to see if I could find a source. Looks like when someone runs the 2nd floor shower I get a pretty good flow of water on the outside of the drain pipe (which I can see through the hole I cut). When a toilet in that same bathroom is flushed I get a smaller amount of water.

So there is something wrong with the drain on the 2nd floor bathroom. Where!

So anyone want to recommend a plumber to fix the issue? If we have to rip up a floor of the 2nd floor I am thinking of possibly turning it into insurance so may need someone licensed.

Thoughts and ideas??

This doesn't necessarily sound like it requires a specialist or anything. Probably pretty standard fare for most plumbers.

American Leak Detection http://www.americanleakdetection.com...esidential.php can find the leak, but it sounds to me like you're pretty close already.

Also, and most importantly, presence of mold is an indication that this has been happening over a sustained period of time (as is usually the case with drain line issues) and may be specifically excluded by your policy. The only way to find out is to turn in a claim.

So when you say the 2nd floor bathroom, are you talking about the main level of the home (immediately above basement) or the level above that? Also, sounds like a lot of water from shower, lesser amount from toilet, what about the sink? What year was the house built? What type of pipe are the drain lines, cast iron, pvc? Does the water start leaking almost immediately, or after the shower has been run for a while or the toilet has been flushed a few times?

Even if the leak itself is not covered, most policies have tear out coverage. Easiest way to find that kind of leak is a camera in the drain line. Hydrophysics is who I use professionally is I can not find it quickly. But places like Gavin's and RotoRooter have sewer line cameras as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irving

So when you say the 2nd floor bathroom, are you talking about the main level of the home (immediately above basement) or the level above that? Also, sounds like a lot of water from shower, lesser amount from toilet, what about the sink? What year was the house built? What type of pipe are the drain lines, cast iron, pvc? Does the water start leaking almost immediately, or after the shower has been run for a while or the toilet has been flushed a few times?

---

2nd floor as in two floors above the basement (e.g. the floor above the main floor). Didn't try the sink - thats a great idea I will take a look there. House built in 1998. Normal PVC drain lines (see pict). The water starts leaking pretty much as soon as things hit the drain in the shower and as soon as you flush the toilet once.

My grandmother started living with us a month or so ago, but for the last 15 years that bathroom has seldom been used. With her using it daily now I think we found it just in time.

Thank you all for the info! I'll call Bell out on Monday (they are who I normally use). Was hoping to give the business to someone on the list.

Attachment 62411
Attachment 62412

That's rough having an entire floor between where the water starts and where you are finding it outside the pipe. I'd suspect that some fitting pulled apart in the drain line after the toilet and shower lines meet (probably after the sink as well), and likely before the line goes vertical (unless there is a significant gap between the two pieces). Construction materials like drywall and OSB can get wet to a point, and as long as the water keeps moving and they have time to dry, they'll maintain structural integrity.

I don't see any mold or significant wet rot in your photos, which is good. Trying the sink is just to try and pin point where this issue starts. What room is immediately below the upstairs bathroom? It is usually easier/cheaper to cut out ceiling drywall in the room below to try and find the problem, than trying to go through the floor of the bathroom where the problem starts. Not to mention that with it being a drain line, the flooring in that bathroom is likely undamaged.

Hire these guys.

https://youtu.be/08sCJVa32ik

While you say its the toliet, in a bathroom that was infrequently used, the plumbers putty around the drains or fixtures can dry out and leak when used. If so that is easy to fix.

EvilRhino is still around: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/44456-M...r-Denver-Metro

Found the leak (zero fucking thanks to Bell - threw them out 10 mins after they got here). Borrowed a buddies thermal camera and found the 3" main coming down. From there cut holes until I found the leak.

Looks like someone put a toggle bolt or screw through the pipe. Had to be fairly recently. Just had new granite and tile done a few months ago and the height lines up.

Wife isnt going to be happy about the wall when she gets home.

Attachment 62435Attachment 62436Attachment 62437

Nice work! Looks like it's all relatively minor as far as damage goes. Hope you get it buttoned up okay.

So, expand on why you threw Bell out after 10 minutes.

And and are you going after the responsible party for damages ?

I was going to mention that you could contact whatever contractor installed the granite and let them know about the damages. Markco may have a better handle on how that is likely to turn out though. I'm not sure what would be reasonable measures to take in order to make sure there isn't anything behind the wall. Wiring needs to be secured to the center of the stud (per code) to keep it out of the way to prevent this exact occurrence, but there aren't a lot of options with a 3" pipe. Also, is there a stud finder that would be able to reliably locate pvc through a wall?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by asmo

Found the leak (zero fucking thanks to Bell - threw them out 10 mins after they got here). Borrowed a buddies thermal camera and found the 3" main coming down. From there cut holes until I found the leak.

Looks like someone put a toggle bolt or screw through the pipe. Had to be fairly recently. Just had new granite and tile done a few months ago and the height lines up.

Wife isnt going to be happy about the wall when she gets home.

Attachment 62435Attachment 62436Attachment 62437

---

Call your insurance agent and talk it over with them at least. With a clear subrogation case, sometimes they will help out their insured's and go after the offending parties carrier and then you can get your deductible back. If it was me, I would have my attorney send a letter to my insurance carrier and the granite installer ASAP.

Not near as bad as the one I looked at today in Aspen.

With much thanks to EvilRhino the leak is all fixed up.

Now -- anyone know a good drywall repair guy?

Thanks everyone for all the input and help!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CO Hugh

While you say its the toliet, in a bathroom that was infrequently used, the plumbers putty around the drains or fixtures can dry out and leak when used. If so that is easy to fix.

---

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is most likely the problem. Check the tub drain for dried putty and pull the toilet to check the wax ring. While it's up put in an extra thick wax ring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bmac

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is most likely the problem. Check the tub drain for dried putty and pull the toilet to check the wax ring. While it's up put in an extra thick wax ring.

---

Nope. Someone put a screw into the 3" drain pipe. All fixed and better now.

You still haven't gave the story about Bell..........

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by asmo

Nope. Someone put a screw into the 3" drain pipe. All fixed and better now.

---

Someone used a speed bit, about 1", to drill the wall for a toggle. While most times that a pipe passes through a stud, it gets a nail plate, when they are running vertically, they are unprotected. I've seen it a handful of times, usually with cabinet installs, etc. It took a bit of effort to drill all the way into the pipe vs knowing you made a hole in drywall.